We finally found a squirrel proof bird feeder that actually works.

I don't mind when the squirrels ground feed the seed, but we had 2 hanging ones that we put black oil sunflower into and a wooden house feeder that we put mixed seed into. We have bought several "squirrel proof" ones over the years and spent up to 50 bucks on some that were epic fails. We got them at Lowes (yeah, we still shop there, sorry) and they were only 22 bucks each. On a daily basis they were eating all the black oil in a matter of 30 minutes, and the birds could never get on the feeders.

6. I learned that squirrels don't care much for safflower seeds.

So I've been putting golden safflower in all of my feeders and this has significantly reduced the squirrel activity. They will eat it if they have to but they don't take over the feeders like they usually do. Yesterday I ran out of safflower seeds and put some peanut-based bird food in one feeder - sure didn't take the squirrels long to find that. It's OK, though; the squirrels keep the cats entertained.

7. Is safflower seed expensive?

I haven't even seen it sold anywhere, although I'm sure they sell it a birding specialty store. The squirrels keep my dog entertained---sometimes they come up to our patio and he goes nuts watching them through our french doors. He's really fast, and once he chased one in the yard, caught it in his mouth, but we got it away from him unharmed.

13. Solution that worked after several years and multiple feeder types

My feeder(s) have been under attack for years from squirrels on my deck. I tried all types of solutions; i.e (1) pepper in the seed; (2) so-called squirrel proof feeders, and the like. Nothing worked. Finally, I decided to attempt to trap and remove the squirrels from my deck. First, I purchased a budget trap from a local big box store. After a few catches, the mechanism broke. Thereafter, I purchased a "hav-a-hart" trap that featured an "easy release" door. That worked well. After 1 week, 9 squirrels were removed. Curiously, one squirrel continued to appear on my deck, but he never bothered or attempted to get at my feeder!. He merely went after scrap seed on the ground. So far no more squirrel problems. Be alerted, however, State laws govern whether a permit is required to trap squirrels, and whether the trapper is required to destroy the animals or is permitted to relocate them. Observing the solution that was achieved on my property, I should have done this years ago.